INEC Fixes June 20 for Bye-Elections in Enugu, Rivers, Others

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced Saturday, June 20, 2026, as the date for the conduct of bye-elections to fill vacant legislative seats across six states of the federation.

INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan, disclosed this on Thursday during a brief ceremony at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja, where he also formally received a newly appointed National Commissioner, Jamila Malafa.

According to Amupitan, the bye-elections will be held simultaneously with the Ekiti State Governorship Election, which is also scheduled for the same date. He explained that the Commission opted for a combined exercise to ensure efficiency in logistics and deployment of electoral personnel.

The elections will cover vacant senatorial seats in Enugu State, Nasarawa State, Rivers State and Ondo State. In addition, voters will elect new representatives for a State House of Assembly seat in Kebbi State and a House of Representatives seat in Kano State.

“We are going into some off-cycle elections very soon. The Ekiti State Governorship Election is scheduled for June 20, 2026. On the same date, the Commission will conduct bye-elections to fill vacant seats,” the INEC Chairman stated, reaffirming the Commission’s readiness to deliver credible polls.

He further emphasized that all necessary preparations, including voter education, logistics, and security coordination, are being intensified to ensure smooth conduct of the elections across the affected states.

Speaking on the newly sworn-in National Commissioner, Amupitan described Malafa as a seasoned administrator with a distinguished career spanning military service and electoral operations. He noted her prior contributions to INEC, particularly in logistics, as well as her experience as Director of Legal Services in the Nigerian Navy, which he said would strengthen the Commission’s institutional capacity.

Reiterating INEC’s commitment to its constitutional mandate, the Chairman assured Nigerians of the Commission’s determination to uphold transparency and credibility in all electoral processes.

“Our responsibility is clear. We are committed to conducting elections into the offices of the President, National Assembly, Governors, State Houses of Assembly and Area Councils in a credible and transparent manner,” he said.

In her remarks, Malafa expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve and pledged to bring her experience to bear in strengthening the Commission’s operations.

“I am honoured to be part of this institution at this critical time. I look forward to working collaboratively to ensure the success of forthcoming elections and to contribute to the stability and democratic development of our country,” she said.

The event was attended by National Commissioners, the Secretary to the Commission, the Director-General of the Electoral Institute, senior officials, and members of the new commissioner’s family.